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San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Beloved Bay Area Italian restaurant opens first Wine Country location
When Shelley Lindgren, owner of the Bay Area's beloved Southern Italian restaurant A16, signed a lease for a new outpost in Napa late last year, the plan was to spruce the place up a little and open it quickly. But she quickly changed her mind, undertaking a major renovation that pushed the opening back three months. 'We wanted to be here for a long time,' said Lindgren, who grew up in the North Bay and opened the first A16 in San Francisco's Marina District 20 years ago. 'It started off as, 'Let's see how it goes,' but it feels like the community is very pro-business in Napa. There's a welcoming spirit.' A16 Napa finally opens on Thursday, offering its signature Neapolitan-style pizzas alongside a bevy of new dishes — like pancetta-wrapped pork rolls and octopus cooked in a hearth — inspired by Italy's Puglia region, located in the heel of the country's geographical boot. The new restaurant joins another A16 location in Rockridge and a spinoff location in San Francisco's Ferry Building. It's the first restaurant to occupy the 4,000-square-foot downtown Napa space at 821 Coombs St. since Miminashi, a high-end Japanese izakay a, closed in 2020. Lindgren removed Miminashi's hand-carved wooden door and soft serve window, and tore out the wooden drop ceiling which once gave Miminashi the intimate vibe of an Izakaya. Without it, the Mediterranean-inspired A16 feels lighter, bigger and airy. The centerpiece of the fresh look, from designers John Hurley, Justin Haffen and A16 partner Kitty Oestlien, is a custom white overhang floating above the bar, decorated with dried herbs and chilies. Large chandeliers made in Morocco hover over tables; a long parklet filled with two dozen olive trees and benches seats an extra 30 people outside. (The restaurant can fit about 100 people total.) There are a few remnants from Miminashi: the massive, three-sided bar, now covered in bright, white tiling, and the hearth next to the kitchen where dishes will be grilled within view of diners. The current hearth — or focolare, in Italian — section of the menu features dishes like bombetta Pugliese ($16), pork neck wrapped in pancetta; spot prawns ($16); King Trumpet mushroom topped with caper salsa verde ($12); lamb skewers ($18); and octopus ($26). Yet Lindgren said her team is in the early stages of experimentation with the hearth; a week ahead of opening day, a chef was prepping lobster tails for it. The restaurant will serve plenty of A16 staples including eight types of pizza ($22-27), burrata ($20), pork meatballs ($16), cannellini beans ($8) and fave e cicoria ($16), a Puglian speciality consisting of fava bean puree topped with dandelion greens, garlic and Calabrian chili. Steamed mussels ($22), whole fish with a tarragon salsa ($52) and cavatelli with white ragu sauce and porcini mushrooms ($32) are among a handful of dishes that are, like the grilled section, exclusive to the Napa location. For dessert, in addition to A16's popular chocolate budino ($15) and tiramisu ($14), the new spot will serve a lemon verbena panna cotta ($15) and olive oil cake with poached cherries ($15) using olive oil from Napa's Hudson Ranch winery. Soon, several flavors of gelato will be added to the mix, including honeycomb and stracciatella. While the wine list is Italian-heavy, it will also showcase many California producers making Italian-inspired wines, including Lindgren and Oestlien's brand Tansy. 'One natural link between Puglia and Napa is through Zinfandel, which shares genetic roots with Primitivo,' said Lindgren, who pointed to an old vine Zinfandel from Napa's Matthiasson made from vines planted in the 1880s. Several of the Napa offerings are ones patrons would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, like a Staglin Sangiovese that's typically reserved for wine club members, and Continuum's Sentium, a premium Sauvignon Blanc crafted by Robert Mondavi's grandchildren. Lindgren's husband, Greg Lindgren, who owns the San Francisco bar Rye, has created the cocktail menu featuring aperitifs, like a grappa spritz and amaro old fashioned, and frozen specialties. In a few weeks, A16 Napa will add lunch service.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
The Taste by Vir Sanghvi: How Indian restaurant Tresind Studio won Dubai's first three Michelin stars
It was one of the more extraordinary things that I have done in my life. It started when Michelin called me to discuss something confidential. If you know how the Michelin Guide works then you will know that everything they do is confidential. Their inspectors are not gifted amateurs who like eating out. They are hardcore professionals who work full time for Michelin and eat at least 300 meals at restaurants every year. They are famously anonymous and because nobody recognises them they can pretend to be ordinary customers out for a good meal when they visit restaurants. Because restaurateurs may become familiar with some faces, Michelin mixes it up, sending inspectors from other countries to assess restaurants. So, if you run a Southern Italian restaurant in, say, Seoul one of the guys who reviews it may have flown in from Naples. No outsider knows what the inspectors decide, or how the final decisions about stars are made or even how many inspectors have visited the restaurant. Nothing is revealed except for the stars themselves which are announced at annual functions in the 50 or so locations where Michelin operates. So, when Michelin told me that our conversation was totally confidential I was not surprised. But what they said next did surprise me. The inspectors had finally decided to award three stars to a restaurant in Dubai, something they had not done for the three years that Michelin had been in Dubai. But now, in their fourth year, they were finally ready to take the plunge. Gwendal Poullennec, who is international director and the boss of the guide, was going to make a special trip to Dubai to tell the lucky restaurant two days before the formal announcement. Would I like to go with him to the restaurant when he broke the news? Would I? Of course, I would! They would tell me the name of the restaurant they said only if I agreed not to tell a soul. At this stage I had a trip booked to South East Asia and was not going to be available to attend the Dubai awards but the moment Michelin asked me, I decided at once to reschedule the South East Asia trip. (Naturally!) So which restaurant would it be? I suggested to them that it would be Row on 45 which had stormed into the list with two stars the previous year. Or perhaps it would be FZN which I had predicted would be the first three-star restaurant in Dubai. Also Read | Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: A fortnight of fantastic meals They did not comment on my speculation but said that Gwendal wanted to break the news to an Indian restaurant. I knew at once which restaurant it had to be: Tresind Studio. There was no doubt in my mind that Tresind Studio deserved three stars. Except that Michelin had never before given three stars to an Indian restaurant. Was it now going to break that precedent? It was. I was overjoyed for the folks at Tresind who I have admired since I first wrote about the restaurant over a decade ago when it had just opened and nobody had heard of it or of its young chef, Himanshu Saini, who was still in his 20s but already showing signs of greatness. But most of all, I was really overjoyed for India. For decades now, Indian cuisine, one of the world's greatest, had been dismissed as an 'ethnic' cuisine, its reputation destroyed by cheap Bangladeshi curry houses in the UK. Even when an Indian restaurant got a star, it usually stopped at that single star and chefs who Frenchified their food were rewarded by most global organisations. Only Gaggan Anand in Bangkok kept India's foodie prestige alive by being daring. Admittedly this had begun to change once Gwendal (who is an Asia buff and a Japanese speaker) took the Michelin guide around the world and began recognising non-European cuisines. Indian restaurants began finally to get two stars and Michelin's old 'French is best' global image softened to reflect the modern era. But three stars for Indian food? Nah! Anyhow I kept my word to Michelin. My son said he wanted to go to the Dubai ceremony. I told him I would be in Thailand. Himanshu asked if I was coming to Dubai. I lied again. I posted Thailand pictures on my Instagram to confuse everyone. Then, two days before the ceremony, having sneaked into Dubai, I got into a car with Gwendal and we drove to Tresind Studio. Michelin had told the Tresind team that they wanted to shoot for a forthcoming event in Qatar so a TV crew was hard at work shooting with Himanshu upstairs while we hid in a coffee shop downstairs. Finally, the crew gave us the go ahead and we went up to let Gwendal convey the news. Himanshu says now that he was too dazed to notice I had entered but members of his team who did see me despite my best efforts at being inconspicuous, wondered what the hell I was doing there. Then Gwendal introduced himself and told the assembled team that they had won three stars. I have known Himanshu for a long time and he is pretty much the brand ambassador for gratuitous weeping, but to my surprise he held it together and made a cogent speech for the cameras. But it was Vipin, Tresind's super cool manager, who is responsible for the restaurant's impeccable service, who was overcome by emotion and burst into tears. So did much of the team. All of them were made to sign NDAs and to promise not to breathe a word till the official announcement. I was sceptical but they kept their word. Two days later when I went to the official ceremony, nobody had any idea that Tresind Studio had won the ultimate accolade. At the ceremony, I met Himanshu's wife, the rock of his life, and told her how surprised I was by Himanshu's composure. Well, she said, when he finally told her, she wept uncontrollably. And then Himanshu finally let it all out and joined her in her tears. Given the enormity of the achievement, they had a right to be emotional. So, is this a new beginning for Indian food at an international level? Gwendal who has worked so tirelessly to give non-European cuisines the respect they deserve, thinks it may well be. Rene Redzepi, one of the world's most influential chefs, thinks Indian food has begun its ascent. 'This is the first of many many more,' he told me. Gaggan Anand who set off this boom said 'so good to see a young chef do it and to pave the way for future generations'. As for me, I am relieved to not have the burden of keeping the secret any longer. And there was tension too: I broke the story on the Hindustan Times online edition just as the announcement was being made. (It was page one in the print edition.) I worried about filing too early and giving away the secret. Or of filing too late! But speaking as an Indian, I am delighted to see our cuisine get the recognition it deserves. And yes, I am thrilled to have had a tiny walk-on role in this saga. Michelin lived up to its reputation for confidentiality. Even as we kept the Tresind Studio secret, nobody let slip that another restaurant was also getting three stars. Bjorn Frantzen became the only chef in the world to have three restaurants with three stars as his FZN at Atlantis triumphed. It's a great achievement but now that the doors have opened I am sure that it is only a matter of time before an Indian chef challenges Frantzen! Because last week, in Dubai, Michelin ushered in a new era for the international acceptance of Indian cuisine.
Time Out
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Fortuna to collaborate with World No. 1 pizza chef Diego Vitagliano and Pizzeria Da Michele this month
Pizza lovers, clear your calendars this month. Italian restaurant Fortuna – freshly minted as Singapore's second-best pizzeria in the 50 Top Pizza Asia Pacific 2025 awards – is pulling out all the stops for its first birthday celebration. Expect not just one, but two pop-ups at the end of this month – both collaborations with some of the world's most legendary pizzerias. First up, from May 28 to 30, Fortuna welcomes Diego Vitagliano, crowned Italy's Number One pizza chef and second in the world, to its humble digs in Duxton. For three nights only, Diego will take over the kitchen at Fortuna with two specially crafted menus each evening. Ease into the night with a five-course early dining menu (5pm to 6.30pm, $60 per person), or go all in with a seven-course signature collaboration menu at 6.30pm or 8.30pm ($160 per couple). Expect bold Southern Italian flavours, creative twists on classics, and showstoppers like the Mambo d'Oriente — a crispy pizza topped with red prawn tartare, escarole, and miso powder. There's also Spaghetto della Mezzanotte and the irresistible Ab-braciami with Angus carpaccio. Naturally, Italian wine pairings will be flowing at an additional $128 per couple. Fast forward to May 31, and Fortuna is keeping the party rolling with a double birthday bash with none other than Pizzeria Da Michele – yes, that legendary Naples pizzeria that Julia Roberts dined at in Eat Pray Love. The brand opened its first Singapore outpost last year to winning success, and the two restaurants will be holding a late-night pizza party from 10pm till midnight. That's two hours of free-flowing pizzas – chef's selection, of course – and a list of wines, beers, and sodas to wash it all down. These are all available for one night only at just $55 per person.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
I stayed at a luxurious resort in Barbados with my young daughter. From the private pool to the stunning beach, our stay was nearly perfect.
My daughter and I spent four nights at The Crane, a luxurious resort in Barbados. Our two-bedroom deluxe suite was huge and had a private garden with a pool. The resort is family friendly and I was impressed by the on-site day-care center. I love connecting with my 3-year-old daughter through travel. We've been exploring together since she was six months old and have been everywhere from Orlando to Morocco. We enjoy staying at resorts, so when I found a deal for 40% off a stay at The Crane Resort in Barbados, I knew I had to book a trip. The resort, which was founded in 1887 and is the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Caribbean, was charming, serene, and unexpectedly child-friendly. Here's what our $2200 four-day stay was like. We stayed in a two-bedroom deluxe suite. As soon as I entered our deluxe two-bedroom suite, I thought, "Wow." The space was massive, and I felt we got so much value for what we paid. The elegant space was outfitted with mahogany furniture, a raised four-post king bed, wide wooden shutters, and coral stone walls. The primary room had a king bed and the secondary had two twin beds and a crib for my daughter. There was also a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom, and spacious dining and living room areas. The best part of our room was the private outdoor garden with a pool. Our favorite part of our room was the private tropical garden with a patio deck, gazebo, and pool. Because we were surrounded by greenery, it felt like our own private little getaway. There was so much to do on the property that we didn't use this as often as I'd have liked, but we did spend some time relaxing out here. We enjoyed many of the resort's restaurants. On our first night at the resort, we tried Zen, a restaurant that serves Japanese and Thai cuisine. Although the restaurant didn't offer a kid-friendly menu, my daughter absolutely loved the chicken katsu dish, which included fried cutlets with white rice. My sushi rolls also tasted incredibly fresh and delicious. My daughter really enjoyed eating at D'Onofrio's, a restaurant serving Southern Italian fare. The staff immediately noticed I had my little one with me and quickly asked to take her order, which I appreciated. We didn't love the breakfast buffet, so we spent a lot of time at the café instead. One thing I was disappointed by was the resort's breakfast buffet. Although the views of the beach were spectacular, I found the food to be inconsistent and thought the service was slow. Eventually, we decided to go to the café for breakfast, which had quick service and everything we needed to start our day on a good note — fresh fruit and granola for my daughter and a croissant and an oat milk latte for me. The resort's beach was gorgeous. My daughter and I both enjoyed spending time on the resort's beach. Watching the waves crash against the shore was the perfect way to unwind. I only wish the resort offered some loaner beach toys for my daughter to play with. I usually don't like to pack these items because they take up too much space in our luggage. However, I ended up buying a shovel set for her at the gift shop. I thought the day-care services were top-notch. As a single parent, the complimentary on-site day care was a lifesaver. Whenever I needed some me time, I could leave her with the team to play games, make crafts, and have storytime. Although the service is usually reserved for kids ages 4 to 12, they made an exception for my daughter since she's been in day care for years. One night, I also took advantage of the resort's $ 15-an-hour private babysitting service. The same people from the day care worked as babysitters, so it was nice for my little one to be greeted by friendly and familiar faces. We loved our stay at The Crane. Overall, I cherished the time my daughter and I spent together at The Crane. The resort had genuine and patient staff members who made my daughter feel welcome, a spacious and affordable suite that gave us our own space, and lots of activities for us to do. I'd definitely return to The Crane in the future and take advantage of any sales they may offer. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
19-05-2025
- Business Insider
I stayed at a luxurious resort in Barbados with my young daughter. From the private pool to the stunning beach, our stay was nearly perfect.
We stayed in a two-bedroom deluxe suite. As soon as I entered our deluxe two-bedroom suite, I thought, "Wow." The space was massive, and I felt we got so much value for what we paid. The elegant space was outfitted with mahogany furniture, a raised four-post king bed, wide wooden shutters, and coral stone walls. The primary room had a king bed and the secondary had two twin beds and a crib for my daughter. There was also a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom, and spacious dining and living room areas. The best part of our room was the private outdoor garden with a pool. Our favorite part of our room was the private tropical garden with a patio deck, gazebo, and pool. Because we were surrounded by greenery, it felt like our own private little getaway. There was so much to do on the property that we didn't use this as often as I'd have liked, but we did spend some time relaxing out here. We enjoyed many of the resort's restaurants. On our first night at the resort, we tried Zen, a restaurant that serves Japanese and Thai cuisine. Although the restaurant didn't offer a kid-friendly menu, my daughter absolutely loved the chicken katsu dish, which included fried cutlets with white rice. My sushi rolls also tasted incredibly fresh and delicious. My daughter really enjoyed eating at D'Onofrio's, a restaurant serving Southern Italian fare. The staff immediately noticed I had my little one with me and quickly asked to take her order, which I appreciated. We didn't love the breakfast buffet, so we spent a lot of time at the café instead. One thing I was disappointed by was the resort's breakfast buffet. Although the views of the beach were spectacular, I found the food to be inconsistent and thought the service was slow. Eventually, we decided to go to the café for breakfast, which had quick service and everything we needed to start our day on a good note — fresh fruit and granola for my daughter and a croissant and an oat milk latte for me. The resort's beach was gorgeous. My daughter and I both enjoyed spending time on the resort's beach. Watching the waves crash against the shore was the perfect way to unwind. I only wish the resort offered some loaner beach toys for my daughter to play with. I usually don't like to pack these items because they take up too much space in our luggage. However, I ended up buying a shovel set for her at the gift shop. I thought the day-care services were top-notch. As a single parent, the complimentary on-site day care was a lifesaver. Whenever I needed some me time, I could leave her with the team to play games, make crafts, and have storytime. Although the service is usually reserved for kids ages 4 to 12, they made an exception for my daughter since she's been in day care for years. One night, I also took advantage of the resort's $ 15-an-hour private babysitting service. The same people from the day care worked as babysitters, so it was nice for my little one to be greeted by friendly and familiar faces. We loved our stay at The Crane. Overall, I cherished the time my daughter and I spent together at The Crane. The resort had genuine and patient staff members who made my daughter feel welcome, a spacious and affordable suite that gave us our own space, and lots of activities for us to do.
